FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Rex Ryan did a bang-up impersonation of a car stuck in the mud spinning its wheels and digging a deeper hole on Wednesday, when the New York Jets’ coach remained adamant that the run-heavy approach Monday was both the right thing to do and not a reflection of how he and the coaching staff feel about second-year quarterback Geno Smith.

The Jets racked up 277 yards rushing on 49 carries Monday, when they blew an early 10-point lead and fell to the Miami Dolphins, 16-13. Smith, who was making his first start since being benched after throwing three interceptions in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 26, dropped back to pass just 15 times and completed 7 of 13 for 65 yards.

He attempted just eight passes before the Jets’ final drive, which ended with Smith throwing an interception with 34 seconds left.

The game plan — and the refusal to deviate from it once the Dolphins placed nine men in the box in the second half — has been the source of much second-guessing, all of which mystifies Ryan.

“I can’t understand it,” Ryan said. “And the reason I’m saying I can’t understand that is you go in with a game plan: ‘What’s the best thing for our team? Well, we need to run the football.’ And we had talked about trying to establish the running game against a very good defense.”

The Jets certainly did that in the first half, when they gained 210 yards on 29 carries. The 210 yards were the most for a team in the first half since the Jets had 212 against the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 18, 2009.

The 131 yards in the first quarter were the most gained by an NFL team in the first quarter all season.

But the Jets didn’t have nearly as much success in the second half, when they gained 67 yards on 20 carries.

“It’s easy to question it now. It’s easy to say we should have thrown it every first down,” Ryan said. “I understand that. And every guy that’s watching will question those calls. And you’ve got every right to question it.

“But 67 yards, almost 70 yards rushing in a half is actually pretty good. You’d probably lead the league if you averaged 140 yards a game rushing, so it’s not that it was completely stopped.”

Except it pretty much was. The Jets gained four yards or less on 15 of their 20 second-half carries. Of their five biggest gainers, two came on the first series of the third quarter and two others were scrambles by Smith.

Despite the difficult treading in the second half. Ryan didn’t deny Wednesday that he’d like the Jets to run as often as possible over the final four games. Those games are likely to be started by Smith, who will again be behind center when the Jets travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings on Sunday.

“I don’t really anticipate us averaging eight yards a carry, but again, you want to go in with that in mind,” Ryan said. “And will it open up the passing game? One hundred percent. When you’re able to run the ball, that does open up the passing game.”

Except, apparently, when it doesn’t.

SERIES HISTORY: The Jets lead the Vikings 8-1. The Jets have won the last seven meetings, dating to Nov. 15, 1979, when QB Richard Todd went 7 of 13 in a 14-7 victory. Those were the fewest pass attempts for a Jets quarterback in a complete game until Monday, when QB Geno Smith was 8 of 13 in the loss to the Dolphins. The Jets beat the Vikings 29-20 in the most recent meeting, on Oct. 11, 2010. K Nick Folk booted five field goals and DB Dwight Lowery returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown to seal the game in the final two minutes. The Vikings were led by ex-Jets QB Brett Favre, who threw two touchdown passes to current Jets WR Percy Harvin. Only two of the Jets’ seven straight wins have been by fewer than eight points. The Jets rode three field goals by K John Hall and a 66-yard punt return for a touchdown by RB Leon Johnson to a 23-21 win at the Meadowlands on Nov. 23, 1997.

NOTES: DE Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) didn’t practice Wednesday and appears likely to miss his second straight game Sunday. Wilkerson is out of his walking boot but said he would play only when he’s comfortable enough to do so. Coach Rex Ryan said he didn’t think it would be in Wilkerson’s best interests to suit up Sunday. … K Nick Folk (hip flexor) didn’t practice Wednesday but is expected to be active when the Jets play the Vikings on Sunday.